Baby carrots make a delicious and healthy snack or side dish. However, if you buy more than you can eat before they spoil you can freeze fresh carrots for long-term storage. With a few easy tips you can extend the shelf life of raw carrots with help of the blanching process.
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Can You Freeze Baby Carrots?
Yes! You can freeze baby carrots or regular carrots. The process is similar for both except the whole baby carrot is already the ideal size for freezing. You can further prepare the carrots by cutting small carrot slices for a carrot soup or casserole to freeze for later use, but this step is not necessary.
Why Blanch Carrots Before Freezing?
Blanching is an important step to preparing many fresh vegetables for freezing. Blanching is a quick process of submerging food in boiling water for just a few minutes and then quickly cooling by placing in cold water to stop the cooking process.
This is the best option for longer term storage of fresh baby carrots to maintain the best quality. Blanching will extend the shelf life of the frozen baby carrots without loss of flavor or texture.
Can I Freeze Carrots Without Blanching Them First?
Yes, but I do not recommend to skip the blanching step. Blanching carrots before freezing will help them retain their texture longer.
Equipment Needed
- large pot
- large bowl
- baking tray
- parchment paper
- resealable plastic bags / freezer safe container
- marker
Step-By-Step Instructions
Baby carrots are quicker to prepare for freezing than a whole carrot because you can skip the peeling and cutting steps.
Heat a large pot of water on the stove top and bring to a boil. Add the carrots to the boiling water. Wait for the water to come back to a boil and then set the timer for 3 minutes. If using smaller pieces of carrots the blanching time can be reduced by 1 minute.
Once the 3 minutes have passed use a slotted spoon to retrieve the carrots and place them in a large bowl of ice water.
Once the carrots are cold strain and dry thoroughly with paper towels to remove all excess moisture. The best way to freeze carrots is to par freeze first. This way they will not stick together and you can take out as much or as little as you want from the container at a time. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay your blanched carrots in a single layer so that they are not touching. Place the lined baking sheet in the freeze to par freeze for 2 hours.
Once the carrots are flash frozen transfer them to freezer bags or an airtight container. If you have a vacuum sealer, that is a great way to store your carrots. Make sure to label the carrots with the date.
Carrots can safely be stored in the freezer for a year or even longer if prepared properly.
Expert Tips
- Remove as much air as possible from the freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.
- Par freeze on a baking tray before adding to your freezer container.
- Label your freezer items for easier identification.
FAQ
Can You Freeze Carrots Without Blanching Them?
Yes, however they will not last as long in the freezer if you skip this step. They will begin to loose their texture and flavor quicker than if you blanch them first.
Why Are My Frozen Carrots Rubbery?
Rubbery carrots can be caused by a few different issues. They could have been in the freezer too long, too much moisture when frozen or over blanching.
Need Recipes To Use Those Frozen Carrots? Try These!
Instant Pot Potatoes and Carrots (An Easy Side Dish Recipe)
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